Growing

It is our daughter’s birthday. I thought of her this morning as our students led a beautiful worship service. When she lived at home she was very involved at church. It was a second home to her. Now that she’s in a different city we look forward to her visits, but she is still very much a part of our church community. I hear her in the music; singing and ringing. I see her in the people; the relationships that shaped her. I feel her memory and presence throughout the church; her constant love. Although she lives far away, we are still connected. That’s what God does! God creates and nourishes so we can grow to be ourselves, sustained by our faith. Every person who knows our daughter helped to shape who she is today. And for that I am grateful.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5